Four mistakes that contributed to Spain’s World Cup failure

#2 Not having a Plan B

Spain’s recent success has all been the product of their attractive, passing style of football. For years they used it to dominate the international scene, winning the 2010 World Cup, along with the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. But in Russia, this style of football hasn’t had the effect they’d have hoped for.

Against Russia, they completed an incredible 1,113 passes, a World Cup record, but only had 14 shots, and rarely threatened the Russia goal.

It was too easy for Russia to deal with their approach. It was too slow, and there was no real cutting edge. Diego Costa started every single game for Spain in Russia, but they didn’t play to his strength. He scored from a long ball in the first game against Portugal, but they rarely exploited his talents.

Had they decided to try a slightly more direct style at times against Russia, they would have posed a greater threat, because Russia weren’t set up to deal with that. They have their way of playing, and if that fails, they don’t have an alternative.